Ever After

☾Chapter Ten☽

Ever could hear the birds sing outside her window. Their melodies plucked what little life was left, out of her soul.

"It's for the greater good." She kept telling herself.

"So, have you thought of a plan yet?" Aubergine asked as the two were getting ready for their final day in Rosenfelle.

"Not entirely, no. I'm more of a wing it kind of person anyways." Ever laughed nervously.

"Ok then, have you arranged for our transportation? Just in case things turn south really quick and we need to escape." Aubergine asked rubbing the back of her head.

Ever scoffed. "Yee of so little faith. Our luggage will be picked up during breakfast, so make sure you have everything together. So if things for some reason go wrong, you don't have to worry about leaving your stuff."

"Good." Aubergine smiled, and Ever whacked her arm with her hair brush.

During breakfast, Ever hoped she didn't seem too distracted. She tried thinking of every possible way to take the amulet and leave. She was charming, but she wasn't that charming. Plus, she had to remember that she was here to be 'an example'.

"Why did Wyll place so much trust in her? Didn't he know that she would have to get the artifact through criminal means?" Whether it was magic or stealing, it would be illegal. It wasn't like Ever really cared. It brought back good memories. She survived off sneaking into town, breaking into houses, and using magic to get her way. It was fun back then, thrilling even. If she wasn't so well known in Siral as the "Last Witch", she would do it again.

After breakfast, Ever paced back and forth in the girl's chambers.

"Ever, you'll wear yourself out if you're not careful." Aubergine chastised as she checked each room to make sure any luggage wasn't left behind.

Ever stopped in her tracks. "Sorry Auber." She sighed. "Time is beginning to wear thin."

"And let me guess," Aubergine mocked as she poked her head out of a room, "you haven't thought of a plan?"

"You don't think asking for it would be a good idea, right?"

"Gods Ev, what happened to the girl who was ready for everything." Aubergine retaliated.

"She's gone Auber. She's been gone a long time."

Aubergine sighed and walked over to Ever.

"Just because dark magic is gone, doesn't mean you are." Aubergine placed a comforting hand on her friend's shoulder and smiled.

"All I was ever good for was using magic, being powerful, making people fear me. I still use fear as a marketing tactic."

"Oh, I know. You con anyone you can." Aubergine scoffed.

Ever ignored her and continued on. "I'm just... augh." Ever let out a cry of stress. "Why am I even helping a cause that pitted against my kind."

"Ever."

"Why should I do all the work while Prince Wylliam gets to just sit in the castle in a plush chair and hope that I get things done."

"Ever." Aubergine snapped.

"Why should I-"

"Ever!" Aubergine interrupted, stopping Ever from continuing her rant.

"Because he's a prince. We weren't born with that luxury. Besides if he tried to do what you have. Who knows what would happen to Siral." Aubergine sighed sitting down on the sofa.

"I guess you're right." Ever shifted her eyes to the floor.

"Now, while you've been panicking and ranting, we've wasted precious time. So, what's the plan?"

"The plan is... I'll figure it out as I go."

Ever was glad she had decided to switch her heels with her black boots this morning. Even though she still had on a poufy red dress, she could run if needed.

Aubergine and Ever entered the castle's throne room. Vines and branches twisted up the walls, conjoining to make vaulted ceilings. A giant chandelier was hung where the branches met, and green banners darted the walls in between the glass pane windows. Prince June sat on a throne that looked to be made of branches as well.

He stood when the girls entered.

"Good morning, Ever."

"Good morning. We came to say farewell." Ever smiled as she curtsied.

"Ah. I forgot you were leaving so soon." He laughed in reply. Think Ever, think. Why did you not come up with a plan?

"Prince June? Can I ask you something?" Ever said sweetly. What could she do? Just steal it?

Ever glanced around. There were about four guards in the room. If she made a scene... it'd spell trouble.

"Yes? What is it Ever?"

Ever chanted a spell in the back of her mind, and then quickly kissed June's cheek before asking.

"Is there anyway I can have your amulet?" It was sly thinking on her part, her charm spells have always been strong.

The prince took the amulet from around his neck and pressed it into Ever's palm like he was being controlled by a puppet master. Which, was partially true.

"Come on Aubergine." Ever whispered before turning towards the double doors. Getting the amulet couldn't be this easy, but they were so close to leaving the throne room.

The guards looked suspiciously behind them at the motionless prince as they tried to near the doors, the guards raised their weapons and drew forward, surrounding them.

"Ever?"

"One second, I'm thinking." Behind them, the prince snapped out of his daze. Ever started to panic, she wrapped her hand around the crystal on her neck. Think Ever, think, or else you'll wind up in Rosenfelle's prison. It was going so well, why do guards have to be so cautious?

Aubergine grabbed Ever's arm.

"I'm going to make my own plan." She said before darting towards the doors, pulling Ever behind her. The guards pointed their weapons toward them. Sharp, pointy weapons.

"Prohibere!" Ever yelled. Time seemed to slow down, and the guards and Prince June stopped in place.

"What-"

"Come on, hurry." Ever interrupted pulling Aubergine out of the throne room. They ran down hallways and through doorways, ignoring the weird looks they got from the staff.

Waiting outside the castle was a winged horse chariot.

"Great! Our ride is here!" Aubergine exclaimed, grateful for the get away.

They reached the airship port and boarded the Mystic Rose. Ever hoped that the prince wouldn't press charges or anything. She also wished that Wyll wouldn't be terribly mad at her, because she might have just severed the good relations Siral had with Rosenfelle.

"What was that by the way?" Aubergine asked as they settled in their seats. Ever wrapped her hand around the crystal on her neck.

"A combination of a slow time and stop people spell." Ever mumbled.

"That's was amazing though, we just ran right past them! They'll never know what happened."

"Aubergine, what we just did was very illegal, and they still know that we took the princes amulet, or at least they will find out at one point." Ever faced her friend and sighed.

"But they don't really know who we are."

"Right now, no they don't, but who knows what they could find out." Ever slumped farther back in her chair and turned to face the window.

She watched as the castle faded into the distance. They were now closer to collecting all three of the artifacts, but for some reason Ever felt like they still had a long way to go.